Endless type outlet receptacle for electric plugs



Oct. 31, 1944.

T. w. SlMPKlNS ENDLESS TYPE OUTLET RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1943 N- M Q m Q m M w WW m M g Q s s 1Q) Q s 7 n w E \n s V. M W 6 Q m m MQM H m. T m WA \N ax m\ w v Oct. 31, 1944. T. w. SIM PKINS 2,361,797 ENDLESS TYPE OUTLET RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS Filed 00$. 9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 720M481 W SIMP/r/A S Patented Oct. 31, 1944 ENDLESS TYPE OUTLET RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS Thomas w. Simpkins, a1 mo, Tex. Application October 9, 1943, Serial No. 505,671

1 Claim;

This invention relates to so-called continuous and endless type electric current supply receptacles adapted for use in homes and analogous buildings for the accommodation of power takeoff plugs such as are used to conduct current ,to various forms of lamps and equivalent appliances.

Inasmuch as individual plug in" floor, baseboard and wall receptacles are generally limited in number within a given area, and as appliances are forever shifted from place to place to make room for equally well shifted furniture, the aforementioned continuous style receptacles, of the type under consideration, have come into vogue.

Manifestly, as implied in the opening paragraph in the preceding sentence, Iam well aware that the art to which the invention relates is fairly well developed and that many varieties and forms of such receptacles have already been patented. It follows, therefore, that my primary aim is to generally improve upon known structures by providing an arrangement which, it is believed, better fulfills the requirements of the trade and is possessed of manufacturing and commercial appeal.

In achieving my aims, I have devised a simple and economical adaptation which is comparatively safe, substantially fool-proof, feasible from the standpoint of manufacture and use, and otherwise adapted to insure improved and reliable results.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In these drawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed to identify and distinguish like parts throughout the views- Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a fragmentary portion of a room wall, the floor, the floor-board and the specially constructed elongated receptacle suitably mounted and constructed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary face or elevational view with a portion broken awayto expose un-' derlying details.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross section on the plane of the line 3-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view, this being on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the details. l I

Figure 6 is a cross section through the major or body portion with the associated elements or parts stripped therefrom for clearness of illus- 4 tration.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure showing an optional form or modification in which the arrangement serves to limit the accommodation facilities for a restricted number of outlets.

Reference being had first to Figure 6, it will he observed that the main or body portion is denoted by the numeral 1. This comprises a longitudinally elongated runner constructed from appropriate insulation material such as presentday plastics. This is adapted to be mounted on the base board or otherwise. It is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional form, and embodies a pair of appropriately rabbeted or otherwise formed adapter grooves 8 and 8 of duplicate form. Separating the grooves is a longitudinal runner or divider l0 provided at longitudinally spaced points with sockets II and passages l2 communieating with the sockets, these to accommodate the attaching screws l3 as brought out to advantage in Figure 4. It will be noticed that the outer edge of the divider l0 terminates in inwardly spaced relation from the corresponding outer edges of the outside walls I4. The current supply members are in the form of bus-strips- I5 of a length commensurate with the length of the body I. The strips are provided with longitudinally spaced right angularly disposed apertured ears l6. These are secured to the outer edge of the divider in by fastening screws i l in alternate or staggered relationship as shown to advantage in Figure 2. The contact plates l5 are of resilient electricity conducting material and flare outwardly to intersect the median portions of the channels or grooves 8 as brought out to advantage in Figures 3 and 4. The strip attaching .tabs or cars are covered by finishing strips l8 secured in place by appropriate fastenings l9. This strip is also of insulation material and its thickness is such that it has its outer face terminating substantially flush with the corresponding edges or faces of the walls I 4. This is brought out to advantage in Figures 3 and 4. The current delivery cable or conductor is indicated at 20 in Figure 3 and has its terminal ends soldered or otherwise connected with the contact tracking strips or plates I 5. The conventional prong or finger-equipped power takeoff plug is denoted at 2| in Figure 1 and carries the appliance cord 22.

It is evident that the single conductor 20 energizes the tracking strips I 5, these being of a length commensurate with the'body I. The body may be made in sections and installed completely around the perimeter of the wall of the room whereby to provide the aforementioned continuous or endless feature. This makes it possible to attach the prongs Or fingers of the plug 21 at any desired or convenient point, as is obvious.

Reference being had again to Figure 7 it is evident that this shows an optional design for the finishing strip IBa whereby a limited number of plugs may be used in order to comply with various local restrictions on the number of outlets allowed per electrical circuit. In this arrangement the finishing strip 18a is of a width to occupy the' complete space between the parallel walls l4. Then at prescribed longitudinally spaced points 1 provide pairs of apertures or notches 2| to accommodate pronged floor and appliance plugs (not shown). Otherwise this arrangement is the same as that already covered.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice. if desired.

Therefore, a more lengthy description- Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a device of the character described, a body of insulating material elongated and of substantially rectangular cross section and having a rear wall and parallel side walls, a central longitudinally extending divider spaced from the side walls to provide intervening channels, the depth of the divider being less than the depth oi! the channels to dispose its outer face inwardly of the plane of outer faces of the side walls, a capping strip detachably mounted against the outer face of said divider, conductor strips extending longitudinally in said channels and diagonally thereof with their outer side edges at opposite side edges of said divider, tongues extending from the outer side edges of said strips and secured against the outer face of the divider, there being conductor passages leading from the rear face of the body to opposite sides of the outer face of the divider, whereby conductor wires may be connected with outer edge portions of said strips, said capping strip covering the tongues of said conductor strips and having its outer surface substantially flush with the outer edge faces of the side walls, and said divider being provided with sockets and passages leading therefrom to the rear face of the body to accommodate fasteners. I

THOMAS W. SIMIPKINS. 

